PA Media/dpa
London
Top English football pundit Jamie Carragher labelled Manchester United “one of the most poorly-coached teams in the Premier League” as the pressure intensified on Erik ten Hag following a 4-0 thrashing by Crystal Palace on Monday.
Michael Olise bagged a brace, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were also on target at Selhurst Park, with United now facing the possibility of missing out on European football next season.
United boss Ten Hag fielded a makeshift back four because of an injury crisis, with Bruno Fernandes also unavailable, but former Liverpool captain Carragher had little sympathy for the Dutchman.
He told Sky Sports: “This is one of the most poorly-coached teams in the Premier League. It’s not an opinion, that’s a fact.
“I get that (the backline was unavailable), I understand, your performance level will drop and your results will not be as good when you miss your best players, that’s obvious.
“But Erik ten Hag needs performances. You’ve got to make us believe there’s something there or working to something. If he was to lose his job, I don’t think he could have any complaints.
“I struggled to see how United would win, but I thought Palace might win 1-0 or 2-1 in a tight game. No Manchester United team should be getting beaten 4-0 by Crystal Palace.
“Manchester United’s under-23s team, I’d still not expect them to lose 4-0. I’ve never been a coach or manager, but I’ve been a player and I’ve been coached by top coaches and some of the things I see are just wrong.” Casemiro played alongside Jonny Evans in the centre of defence, but the pair endured a torrid evening to such an extent that Carragher believes the Brazilian’s days at the top level are numbered.
Despite having a deal at Old Trafford that runs until June 2026, Carragher advised Casemiro, a five-times Champions League winner with Real Madrid, to leave European football this July.
Carragher said: “I think Casemiro should know himself as an experienced player that he should only have another three games left at the top level “ the next two league games and the FA Cup final.
“He should be thinking, “I need to go to MLS or Saudi (Arabia)”. I’m deadly serious. He’s been an absolute great and I am nowhere near what that man has achieved, but I always remember something when I retired myself “ leave football before football leaves you.
“The football has left him, at this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.” Ten Hag acknowledged the defeat was the lowest point of their season so far but insisted he remained the right man to turn around the fortunes of the club.
